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Robin’s favourite part was the adrenaline.
The rush of sweet blood in his ears, the pull of the g-forces and the rowdy cheers of the crowd as he flew past, stomping and thumping right in time with his racing heart. He soaked it all up, revelling in its prideful glare.
“And here’s Robin Arellano for Mercedes coming up the final straight, keeping a firm lead ahead of Vance Hopper for Ferrari!”
The commentators voice echoed out over the track, urging Robin to go faster, faster. He came up on the first turn, taking the racing line and going wide. The controls in front of him flashed and whirred as he sped up and slowed down. He heard crackling through his radio.
We’re going to get you in for a pit soon, alright Robin?
“Copy that.” Robin replied, putting his foot down hard on the first DRS straight. He was way ahead anyways, but he couldn’t afford to be overtaken. That is, his ego couldn’t afford it. He flew around turn 17 before slowing to pull into the pit lane.
He pulled into the Mercedes pit and his team got to work. He sat back and gave a smirk to the person on his front right tire. “Havin’ fun there?”
The boy turned to him and, although he was wearing a helmet, Robin could practically feel his eyes rolling. He turned back to his work on the tire. At least, he pretended to. The team was insanely fast, and they could get things done as such. “C’mon, Finn! Lighten up a little!”
“I’m trying to concentrate right now so can you please not?” Robin raised an eyebrow and pulled off his helmet. He got a few strange looks but he ignored them, as he always did. He could take as long as he wanted down in the pits.
“You are too cocky for your own good, you know that Robin?” Robin rolled his eyes and sighed exasperatedly, unbuckling his seatbelt and standing up out of the car. He casually reached over to the boy on his front right, wrapping his hands around the helmet and pulling it off, letting the waves of brown hair cascade down the boys head.
Finney looked at him deadpan, although the tilt at the corner of his glossed lips told Robin he was amused. He rolled his eyes (again) and smacked Robins hand away. “Stop trying to be smooth, this isn't the time!”
“Oh but it’s always the time with you, Finn.” Robin drawled, smirking at Finn and lightly tucking a strand of hair behind his reddened ear. Robin always found it cute that Finney’s ears turned red when he blushed.
“Robin!! You’re in the middle of a race!”
“It’s fine, I’m way ahead anyways!”
“I don’t think I’m going to survive if you win this race. I can’t deal with your ego getting any more inflated.”
“Oh, but you’ll love me anyways.” Robin drawled. He knew damn well how obnoxious he was being, and he knew damn well he should get back on the track, but since when did any cool person listen to their head?
Finney pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to swat at Robin. Robin just winked. He wasn’t going to leave this pit until he got what he came for. “There is one thing and one thing only that will get rid of me.”
“Please, not this again!” Finney was close to imploding and Robin could tell. He found it even funnier when he could piss the guy off. “Ohhhhh Finnnnnnnneyyyyyy,” Robin taunted. He needed to stop, he really needed to stop. His ego was way too big. But again, what cool person listens to logic?
“Ugh, fine!” Finney got right up close. He grabbed the sides of Robin’s face and pulled him in, smushing their lips together. Robin grinned at the taste of strawberry lip balm and sweet victory. Well, the first sweet victory.
“Alright, go on, get out of here. I can’t stand seeing your face much longer.” Robin grinned and nodded, fake saluting and getting back into his car. He watched Finney’s face, now matching the colour of a strawberry, slowly slide out of view as he made his way out of the pit lane.
He hammered the accelerator, flying back out onto the track. He was just behind Vance now. Figures, since he took such a long detour. He bided his time, getting as close as he dared while figuring out a plan to overtake him.
Go win the stupid fucking race, you idiot. I love you.
Robin grinned. Of course Finney would figure out another way to fuck with him even when he was on the track. Jokes on him though, it didn't work (it totally did). Fuelled with a new motivation and drive to win, Robin whirled around turn 5, coming up to the hairpin right on Vance’s tail.
Robin took the turn wide, skimming the edge. He put on some speed coming out of it, leaving Vance in the dust behind him. “Adios,” he murmured into his mic as he whirled around turn 7 and approached the tunnel.
“And that is Robin Arellano, speeding past Vance Hopper on the hairpin turn! The sun is setting in the sky over our track and Arellano is well on his way to winning his third Grand Prix this season!”
The commentating just made Robin go faster, as though their words were weights, pushing his foot down on the accelerator. He hurtled through the tunnel, breaking out into the light just as the sun began to sink.
He smiled to himself. He had a sunset lap to complete, and a bitch to annihilate.